Open Bicycle

IN NOVEMBER OF 1866, PIERRE LALLEMENT RECEIVED A PATENT FOR THE VELOCIPEDE IN NEW HAVEN, CT. HE SOLD HIS PATENT TO ALBERT AUGUSTUS POPE, WHO HAD BEEN IMPORTING EUROPEAN PENNY FARTHINGS, FOR MANUFACTURE. POPE HAD LIMITED SUCCESS, AS AMERICANS DIDN’T QUITE UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL OF TWO-WHEELED TRANSPORTATION. IN NEW HAVEN AND OTHER CITIES, POPE EMPLOYED GROUPS OF YOUNG MEN HE DUBBED, SCORCHERS, TO “TERRORIZE” THE STREETS. WHEN CITIZENS BEGAN TO REALIZE HOW FAST AND AGILE THE BICYCLE WAS, A TRANSPORTATION REVOLUTION WAS BORN.

MODERN DAY SCORCHERS SEEK TO HONOR THE BICYCLE BY REMINDING OTHERS THAT TWO-WHEELED TRANSPORTATION IS FIRST, AND FOREMOST, FUN.

    The New Haven Scorchers have built a solid reputation in the cycling community over the past few years.  Over the past few months, the streets of Boston have seen a lot of these guys – now expect to see even more as they have officially established a Boston Scorchers chapter.  The decision was made during the events of Pony Up a few weeks back, with the appointment of the first two members.  While things get moving up here and the new crew slowly builds, down in Elm City they are hard at work – here’s a sneak peek of the Elm City Scorchers jersey:

    We’re stoked for the Scorchers to be extending the family to Boston, there can never be too many fun, positive and motivated crews in one city!  We are also proud to announce that Open Bicycle will be involved with the Scorchers Summer Series, a weekend long of bike nonsense!  This year, the Kings of New England series will also stop in Boston – hell yes.  Here’s a throwback 2006 Kings of NE flyer – warm weather can’t come soon enough: